Work scheduling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Work scheduling apparatus for scheduling and monitoring the status of a number of tasks specified by work orders and performed by operators which may be persons or machines. The apparatus includes a work scheduling board having timing means for indicating elapsed time and an array of work scheduling positions arranged in horizontal and vertical rows for selectively receiving coded markers representing the different tasks which may be specified by the work orders. One set of the parallel position rows are designated by indicia representing the different work operators, and the remaining rows and the markers are designated by indicia representing the several work orders to be executed and estimated task completion times. In use, the task markers are placed in the board positions in such a way that each marker indicates the estimated completion time of a designated task of a designated work order and the work operator who is to perform the task. The markers representing the tasks currently being performed by the operators are illuminated in a unique way so that the work scheduler may quickly determine by observation of the board the current status of each operator and task.

United States Patent [1 1 Richard Dec. 25, 1973 1 WORK SCHEDULINGAPPARATUS [76] Inventor: Willard 11. Richard, 42865 Jefferson St.,Fremont, Calif. 94538 [22] Filed: Aug. 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 168,889

[52] U.S. Cl. 116/136, 40/195 [51] Int. Cl. G081) 5/00 [58] Field ofSearch l16/D1G. 28, 136,

116/133, 128, 130', 40/19 A, 19.5; 35/24 A, 24 B; 325/393; 273/136 C;248/205 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 393,806 12/1888Abercrombie 116/133 728,866 5/1903 Childress 116/133 773,749 11/1904Kaplan 116/133 1,665,568 4/1928 Spicgel 116/136 2,062,259 11/1936Thomas. 325/393 2,476,257 7/1949 Hoff 116/114 R 2,509,659 5/1950 Wassell116/135 2,575,269 11/1951 Hall 116/136 2,794,642 6/1957 O'Neill...116/136 X 3,500,557 3/1970 White 35/24 A 3,645,227 2/1972 Lahmer 116/128Primary ExaminerLouis J. Capozi Attorney-Boniard 1. Brown [57] ABSTRACTWork scheduling apparatus for scheduling and monitoring the status of anumber of tasks specified by work orders and performed by operatorswhich may be persons or machines. The apparatus includes a workscheduling board having timing means for indicating elapsed time and anarray of work scheduling positions arranged in horizontal and verticalrows for selectively receiving coded markers representing the differenttasks which may be specified by the work orders. One set of the parallelposition rows are. designated by indicia representing the different workoperators, and the remaining rows and the markers are designated byindicia representing the several work orders to be executed andestimated task completion times. In use, the task markers are placed inthe board positions in such a way that each marker indicates theestimated completion time of a designated task of a designated workorder and the work operator who is to perform the task. The markersrepresenting the tasks currently being performed by the operators areilluminated in a unique way so that the work scheduler may quicklydetermine by observation of the board the current status of eachoperator and task.

17 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures WORK SCHEDULING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generallyto the field of scheduling and monitoring the status of a number oftasks specified by work orders and being performed by differentoperators. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel workscheduling apparatus for aiding such work scheduling and monitoring.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art As will appear from the ensuingdescription, the work scheduling apparatus of the invention may beemployed for a wide variety of work scheduling and monitoringapplications. In this regard, it is significant to note at the outsetthat in the context of the present disclosure, the term operator isintended to encompass both persons and machines for performing specifiedtasks. A primary application of the invention, however, involvesscheduling and monitoring the status of the daily automotive service andrepair facility which employs a relatively large number of mechanicseach of whom performs a specified task or certain specified tasks. Theinvention will be disclosed in connection with this particularapplication.

Most if not all new car dealers maintain large service facilities forservicing and repairing automobiles. Such a facility requires theemployment of a relatively large number of mechanics who are skilled inthe various facets of automobile servicing and repair. In order toassure continued profitable operation of the facility, the various jobsto be done each day must be assigned to the proper mechanics, that isscheduled, in such a way as to keep the mechanics constantly busywithout creating bottlenecks in the flow of work to the shop.

At the present time, when a customer enters an automobile servicefacility, he is met by a foreman who makes a record of the various jobswhich the customer wishes to have done. These jobs are then assigned tothe appropriate mechanics for performance in the order in which theyarrive at the shop. Servicing and/or repair of a given car, of course,may and generally does require the services of two or more mechanicshaving different expertise. As a consequence, a substantial problem isinvolved in assuring continuous flow of work to the various mechanics inthe proper order and timing to keep each mechanic busy at all times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The work scheduling apparatus of the inventionincludes a work scheduling board and a number of markers coded torepresent different tasks which may be specified by work orders. Thescheduling board has an array of work scheduling positions arranged inhorizontal and vertical rows for selectively receiving the markers. Oneset of parallel position rows, i.e., either the horizontal rows or thevertical rows, are designated by indicia representing the work operatorswho perform the various tasks specified by work orders. The remainingrows and the task markers are designated by indicia representingdifferent work orders and estimated task completion times. Mounted onthe board are timing means for indicating elapsed time.

ln use, the work scheduler places the task markers on the board in sucha way that each marker indicates the estimated completion time of aspecified task of a specified work order and the work operator who is toperform the task. The markers representing the tasks currently beingperformed by the work operators are illuminated in a unique way so thatthe work scheduler may quickly determine by observation of the board thestatus of each operator and task. Tasks may thus be assigned to theoperators in an expeditious manner which permits completion ofa maximumnumber of tasks during each work shift.

Two inventive embodiments are disclosed. Each has a scheduling boardwith holes in its scheduling positions and the task markers comprisepegs to be inserted in the holes. These pegs are transparent and havedifferent colors representing the different tasks which may be specifiedby a work order. The board is equipped with unique illumination meansfor illuminating each peg from the rear when the peg is depressed from aforward position to a rearward position in its containing hole. Thelight is transmitted through the peg to its front face so that eachilluminated peg is readily visible from the front of the board. The pegsare initially placed in their forward positions in the scheduling boardwherein the pegs are dark. When the board indicates that an operator isstarting a new task assigned to him, the corresponding peg is depressedto illuminate the peg. The peg representing the task, if any, justcompleted by the operator is removed from the board.

The illustrated embodiments are intended for use in an automotiveservicing and repair facility. In this application, the indicia on thescheduling board representing the work operators are mechanics names.The work orders are the numbered job orders which are completed toindicate the various servicing and/or repair jobs which are to beperformed on the customers automobiles. The work order indicia on theboard are the job order or log numbers.

In one disclosed embodiment, the horizontal position rows on thescheduling board are designated by successive job order numbers and thevertical rows by the mechanics names. Each vertical mechanics row has atimer which the work scheduler or dispatcher sets, when thecorresponding mechanic commences a new job, to the estimated totalcompletion time for the job. This timer then indicates the estimatedremaining time required for the mechanic to complete his current job.Each peg has indicia representing a particular hour or half hour. Whenscheduling a job, the dispatcher selects the job peg which indicates thecorrect estimated time of completion of the job, and places the peg inthe board at the position of intersection of the appropriate job ordernumber row and mechanics row. The work scheduling apparatus alsoincludes pegs and holes in the scheduling board for indicating the finaldisposition of each automobile.

In the other disclosed embodiment, the horizontal position rows on thescheduling board are designated by mechanics names and the vertical rowsby successive clock times in one-half hour intervals. Each peg has awork or job order number. The board has a timer which indicates elapsedtime in preselected intervals, such as half hour intervals. In thisembodiment, when scheduling ajob, the dispatcher selects the job peghaving the correct job order number and places the peg on the board atthe position of intersection of the appropriate mechanics row andestimate job completion time row. This embodiment is also equipped withmechanics pegs for quickly indicating which mechanic is currentlyworking on each job order.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a presentwork scheduling board.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlargement of the board;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section through the board;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section on line 4--4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlargement of one job marker or peg for the board;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are end views of the pegs illustrating the estimated jobcompletion time indicia on the pegs;

FIG. 8 is end views of certain customer card disposition pegs used onthe board;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a modified work scheduling board according tothe invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary enlargement of the board illustrating certainmechanic indicator pegs which are used on the board; and

FIG. 11 is another fragmentary enlargement of the board illustrating thejob pegs which are used on the board.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The work scheduling apparatus10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 has a hollow work scheduling board 12including a rectangular frame 14 with a front inwardly directed flange16 defining a rectangular face opening 18. Extending across the openingand seating against the rear side of the flange 16 is an opaque faceplate 20. This face plate has a multiplicity of work schedulingpositions 22 each comprising a hole through the face plate. The workscheduling positions or holes 22 are arranged in horizontal rows 24 andvertical rows 26. Holes 26 receive markers 28 in the form of pegs whicharecoded to represent different tasks to be performed, as will beexplained presently.

Scheduling board 12 includes illumination means 30 for selectivelyilluminating the pegs 28. The illumination means comprises a lightsource 32 within the board at the rear of the face plate 20. Between theplate and light source is a light shutter assembly 34 for passing lightfrom the source to the rear end of any selected peg 28 on the board. Thepegs are constructed of a transparent plastic, such that any peg whichis illuminated from the rear transmits the light to the front side ofthe board. The illuminated pegs are thus clearly visible from the frontside of the work scheduling board.

The illustrated shutter assembly 34 comprises a transparent plate 36,preferably a translucent light diffusion plate, between the face plateand light source 32. Between the plates 20, 36 is an opaque resilientlycompliant sheet 38 of foam rubber or other suitable material. This sheethas a pair of normally closed intersecting slits 40 opposite the rearend of each face plate hole 22. Each slit pair forms a normally closedlight shutter means which is opened to pass light to a peg 28 in theadjacent face plate hole 22 by depressing the peg rearwardly from theforward extended position to its rearward retracted position of FIG. 3.

In connection with this shutter operation, it will be observed in FIG. 3that the rear end of each peg in forward extended position seats againstthe front side of the resilient sheet 38. The corresponding shutterslits 40 are then closed to block the passage of light to the peg. Whenthe peg is depressed rearwardly by finger pressure, the rear beveled endof the peg is forced through the slits to its rearward retractedposition wherein the rear end of the peg seats against the transparentplate 36. Light from the light source 32 is then transmitted forwardlythrough the peg to illuminate the latter at the front side of the board12, as explained earlier. Return of the peg to its forward extendedposition or withdrawal of the peg permits the slits to reclose and blocklight passage to the peg or peg hole, as the case may be.

Mounted on the face plate 20 at the upper end of each vertical row 26 offace plate holes 22 is a conventional presettable timer 42 with arotatable time presetting knob 44 and a time scale 46. As is well knownto those versed in the art, the timer may be preset to time any elapsedtime interval within the range of the scale 46 by rotating the knob 44to the desired elapsed time setting. The knob then returns to its zeroposition at a timed rate such that the knob arrives at the zero positionat the end of the preset elapsed time interval.

Inscribed or otherwise placed on the face plate 20 below each timer areindicia 48 representing a particular work operator. Indicia 48representing successive work order numbers are inscribed or otherwiseplaced on the face plate along the left-hand ends of the horizontal rows24 of face plate holes 22. At this point, it is worthy of note that theholes in the rows 24, 26 are staggered in such a way as to increase thenumber of horizontal rows.

The job pegs 28 are coded to represent different job operations. In theparticular inventive embodiment illustrated, the pegs are color coded byconstructing them of transparent plastic of different colors. lm printedor inscribed on the front end faces of the pegs are indicia S0representing different job completion times in selective timeincrements. The illustrated indicia, for example, represents time inhalf hour increments. Thus, a numeral, such as 9, represents thecorresponding hours, i.e., the hour 9 or 9 oclock. A numeral with a lineunder it, such as 8, represents the corresponding half hour, i.e., 8:30.

As noted earlier, the present work scheduling apparatus may be employedfor many different applications, such as scheduling jobs in anautomotive servicing and repair facility, scheduling runs in a truckingoperation, scheduling the work of employees in factories, and

many more.

The particular inventive embodiment shown is intended for schedulingservice and repair work in an automotive service and repair facility. Inthis application, the face plate operator" indicia 46 are mechanicsnames. The job number indicia 48 are log numbers corresponding to thosewhich are placed on the work order sheets which are completed forincominb customers and list the various servicing and/or repairoperations desired by the customers as well as labor and parts costs andvarious other information.

The manner of using the work scheduling apparatus will now be described.The work scheduling board 12 is placed at the work scheduling station ina position where the board may be observed by the job scheduler ordispatcher. When each customer arrives, a work order or job sheet isprepared for him and assigned the next available job order or lognumbers 48 on the board. The dispatcher then receives the sheet andnotes the various jobs to be performed. Assuming that none of themechanics have yet been assigned any work, the dispatcher selects theproper colored job pegs 28 representing the various jobs to be performedand the estimated completion times of the jobs. These pegs are theninserted into the proper face plate holes 22 along the horizontal row 24designated by the corresponding log number at the vertical row or rows26 headed by the name or names of the mechanics who are to perform thevarious jobs. The first job to be performed is then assigned to theappropriate mechanic, whereupon the dispatcher sets the correspondingtimer 42.to the estimated time required to complete the job anddepresses the corresponding peg 28 to illuminate the latter forindicating that the mechanic is engaged on ajob.

After completion of the first job, as indicated by return of thecorresponding timer 42 to zero, the second job is assigned to theappropriate mechanic. The lighted peg is removed from the board, and thepeg corresponding to the next mechanic is depressed and lighted. Thecorresponding timer is set to the estimated completion time of thesecond job. This same procedure is followed for each successvie job onthe work sheet and for the work sheet of each arriving customer. In thislatter regard, it will be understood that a number of pegs will beplaced in each mechanics row 26 indicating successive jobs to beperformed by him in the course of his work shift. Each successive peg isdepressed and lighted when the mechanic completes his previous job, asindicated by the corresponding timer 42 and estimated job completiontime on the previous peg. The timer is reset to the appropriatecompletion time when the mechanic commences each new job.

The particular work scheduling apparatus under discussion has anadditional vertical row of holes 26a along the extreme right-hand edgeof the scheduling board 12 and a set of pegs 52 to be inserted in theholes. As indicated by the legend at the top of the column, this row ofholes and the pegs are used to designate the disposition of eachcustomers car. Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen that the pegs bearthe letters H, W, D and WC. These indicate various dispositions ofcustomers cars, as follows:

H Hold for parts or overnight W Customer waiting D Deliver to customerWC Customer will call for car As each customer's log number 48 and jobpegs 28 are entered on the board 12, the appropriate disposition peg 52is also entered to indicate what disposition is to be made of thecustomers car.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 9-11 illustrating a modified workscheduling apparatus 100 according to the invention which is designedprincipally for automotive servicing and repair applications. Apparatus100 has a work scheduling board 102 which is identical to the board 12except for the arrangement of holes and the timing means on the board.Accordingly, it is unnecessary to describe the board in elaboratedetail.

Suffice it to say that the face plate 104 of the board 102 has threegroups 106, 108, 110 of holes 112 arranged in horizontal and verticalrows 114, 116. The horizontal rows 114 are designated by indicia 118representing different mechanics, i.e., mechanics names. The verticalrows within the hole group 108 are designated by indicia 120representing successive clock times in selected time increments, in thisinstance half hour increments. These holes are work scheduling holes anddefine work scheduling positions on the board as in the earlierembodiment. The last four or so vertical rows 1 16 are carry-over rowsfor work which must be carried over from one day to the next. The numberof these carry-over rows may be varied as desired.

The holes 112 within the first hole group 106 contain pegs 122 which arehereafter referred to in places as mechanics indicator pegs and areidentified in some way with the mechanics whose names appear in theirrespective horizontal rows 114. In the particular embodiment shown, thehorizontal rows are numbered consecutively and the pegs bear the samenumbers as their respective horizontal holes, as shown in FIG. 11. Theholes in the last hole group contain job pegs 124 which are color codedto represent different job operations like the pegs in the firstdescribed embodiment. In the particular embodiment under discussion, thehorizontal rows ofjob pegs 124 are numbered consecutively at 125 and thejob pegs, in addition tobeing color coded, bear the same number 125 astheir respective horizontal rows. These numbers 125 are job or lognumbers which are assigned to the customers and listed on their worksheet or job order, as explained earlier. The pegs 122, 124 aretransparent like the pegs described earlier. Pegs 122 may be clear. Pegs124 have different colors like the earlier job pegs.

At the top of the scheduling board 12 are an off-on switch 126, andindicator light 128, a half-hour light 130, and a time set knob 134. Theoff-on switch 126 controls electrical power to the board. When theswitch is turned on, the indicator light 128 and peg illumination lightare lighted. The time set knob 134 operates a switch controlled by atiming motor, such as a l RPH motor, which controls the half-hour light132 to turn the latter on for a short period (i.e., from V: minute to 1%minutes) each half hour. The time set knob is adjustable to synchronizethe on periods of the half-hour light with clock time. That is to say,the knob may be set to start the half-hour light at any selected shiftstart time, such as 7:30, 7:45, 8:00, etc.

In use, the board 102 is turned on at the start of the shift by means ofthe switch 126. The indicator pegs 122 and job pegs 124 are initiallywithin the holes in their respective hole groups 106, 110, as shown. Aseach customer arrives, at job sheet is made out listing the nextavailable log number 125 and the jobs to be performed on his car. Thejob pegs 124 bearing the customers log number 125 are then inserted intothe work scheduling holes in the hole group 108 at positions such thateach peg is located in the horizontal row 114 of the proper mechanic andin the vertical row 116 representing the estimated completion time ofthe job. Simultaneously, one of the mechanics indicator pegs 122 isplaced in each hole in hole group 110 from which ajob peg 124 is removedto indicate the mechanic currently working on the corresponding job. Thepegs representing the jobs currently being worked by mechanics and themechanic s indicator pegs in the hole group 110 are depressed andthereby illuminated, as before.

Periodically, at one-half hour intervals as indicated by the half-hourlight 130, the dispatcher checks a job which fails to be completed bythe estimated completion time on the board and the estimated completiontime revised, if necessary. He then clears the job pegs 124 from thecorresponding half-hour row of the board and depresses the pegs, if any,in the next row to illuminate the latter pegs. The job pegs for any jobswhich are completed ahead of schedule are removed upon job completion.The removed pegs are returned to their proper holes in the hole group110 and the indicator pegs 122 in the latter holes are returned to theirproper holes in the hole group 106. Referring particularly to F IG. 9,it will be seen that the top, center and bottom horizontal rows 114 onthe scheduling board have'holes 112 located at l minute intervals. Theserows are used for relatively short time jobs, such as brake adjustmentsand the like.

At any time, the dispatcher may tell by a glance at the work schedulingboard the status of any mechanic and whether he is occupied or availablefor a new job. Also the status of any customers car may be determined byfirst determining his log number, then running down the holes in holegroup 110 to that log number and noting the mechanics indicator pegopposite the log numher, and then going across the board to the properhorizontal mechanics row 114 to find the job peg with the log number.

What is claimed as new in support of Letters Patent l. in workscheduling apparatus of the class described, the combination comprising:

a board having a front face and a multiplicity of holes entering saidface and arranged in horizontal rows and vertical rows;

a multiplicity of pegs selectively insertable into and removable fromsaid holes, and

said pegs being coded to represent different selected work operations.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein:

said pegs have different colors representing different work operations.

3. The combination according to claim 1 including:

means for selectively individually illuminating each peg on said board.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein:

said pegs are transparent, and

said apparatus comprises means for selectively individually illuminatingeach peg on said board from the rear of said board in a manner such thatlight is transmitted through each illuminated peg to permit observationof each illuminated peg from the front side of said board.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein:

said pegs are transparent,

said board comprises an opaque face plate containing said holes, a lightshutter assembly at the rear of said face plate including normallyclosed shutter means opposite each hole, and a light source at the rearof said shutter assembly, and

the shutter means opposite each hole containing a peg being adapted tobe selectively opened to illuminate the contained peg from the rear in amanner such that light is transmitted through the peg to permitobservation of each illuminated peg from the front side of said board.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein:

each peg is movable in its containing hole between forward and rearwardpositions, and

the shutter means opposite each hole containing a peg is opened bydepressing the peg to its rearward position and closed by returning thepeg to its forward position.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein:

said shutter assembly comprises a transparent plate at the rear of andspaced from said face plate, and an opaque resilient compliant sheetbetween said plates having normally closed intersecting slits oppositesaid holes, respectively, and forming said shutter means,

each peg on said board when in forward position has its rear end seatingagainst the front side of said sheet, whereby the corresponding slitsremain closed to block illumination of the peg, and

each peg on said board being depressible to force the peg through thecorresponding slits to a rearward position wherein the rear end of thepeg seats against said transparent plate, whereby the peg is illuminatedby said light source.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein:

said pegs have different colors representing different work operations.

9. Work scheduling apparatus comprising:

a board having a front face and a multiplicity of holes entering saidface and arranged in a set of horizontal rows and a set of verticalrows,

the rows of one row set being adapted to be assigned to different workorders and the rows of the other row set being adapted to be assigned todifferent work orders,

work order identification indicia on said board associated with therows, respectively, of said one row set,

presettable timers on said board associated with the rows, respectively,of said other row set,

a multiplicity of pegs selectively insertable into and removable fromsaid holes,

said pegs being coded to represent different selected work operations,and

each peg having indicia representing a selected operation completiontime.

10. Work scheduling apparatus according to claim 9 wherein:

the rows of said one row set are said horizontal rows and the rows ofsaid other row set are said vertical rows.

11. The combination according to claim 9 wherein:

said pegs have different colors representing different work operations.

12. The combination according to claim 11 wherein:

said pegs are transparent, and

said apparatus comprises means for selectively individually illuminatingeach peg on said board from the rear of said board in a manner such thatlight is transmitted through each illuminated peg to permit observationof each illuminated peg from the front side of said board.

13. The combination according to claim 9 wherein:

said pegs are transparent,

said pegs have different colors representing different work operations,

said board comprises an opaque face plate containing said holes, a lightshutter assembly at the rear of said face plate including normallyclosed shutter means opposite each hole, and a light source at the rearof said shutter assembly, and

the shutter means opposite each hole containing a peg being adapted tobe selectively opened to illuminate the contained peg from the rear in amanner such that light is transmitted through the peg to permitobservation of each illuminated peg from the front side of said board.

14. The combination according to claim 13 wherein:

each peg is movable in its containing hole between forward and rearwardpositions, and

the shutter means opposite each hole containing a peg is opened bydepressing the peg to its rearward position and closed by returning thepeg to its forward position.

15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein:

said shutter assembly comprises a transparent plate at the rear of andspaced from said face plate, and an opaque resilient compliant sheetbetween said plates having normally closed intersecting slits oppositesaid holes, respectively, and forming said shutter means,

each peg on said board when in forward position has its rear end seatingagainst the front side of said sheet, whereby the corresponding slitsremain closed to block illumination of the peg, and

each peg on said board being depressible to force the peg through thecorresponding slits to a rearward position wherein the rear end of thepeg seats against said transparent plate, whereby the peg is illuminatedby said light source.

16. Work scheduling apparatus according to claim 9 wherein:

said board includes an additional row of holes para]- lel to the rows ofsaid other row set, and

said apparatus includes pegs selectively insertable into the holes ofsaid additional row and coded to represent different work productdestinations.

17. Work scheduling apparatus comprising:

a board having a front face and a multiplicity of holes entering saidface and arranged in a set of horizontal rows and a set of verticalrows,

the rows of one row set being adapted to be assigned to different workoperators and the successive rows of the other row set being adapted tobe assigned to successive hourly times of the work shift,

work operator identification indicia on said board associated with therows, respectively, of said one row set,

hourly time identification indicia on said board associated with therows, respectively, of said other row set,

a multiplicity of pegs selectively insertable into and removable fromsaid holes,

said pegs being coded to represent different selected work operations,and

the pegs of each peg group having indicia representing the same workorder and the pegs of the different peg groups having indiciarepresenting different work orders.

1. In work scheduling apparatus of the class described, the combinationcomprising: a board having a front face and a multiplicity of holesentering said face and arranged in horizontal rows and vertical rows; amultiplicity of pegs selectively insertable into and removable from saidholes, and said pegs being coded to represent different selected workoperations.
 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein: said pegshave different colors representing different work operations.
 3. Thecombination according to claim 1 including: means for selectivelyindividually illuminating each peg on said board.
 4. The combinationaccording to claim 1 wherein: said pegs are transparent, and saidapparatus comprises means for selectively individually illuminating eachpeg on said board from the rear of said board in a manner such thatlight is transmitted through each illuminated peg to permit observationof each illuminated peg from the front side of said board.
 5. Thecombination according to claim 1 wherein: said pegs are transparent,said board comprises an opaque face plate containing said holes, a lightshutter assembly at the rear of said face plate including normallyclosed shutter means opposite each hole, and a light source at the rearof said shutter assembly, and the shutter means opposite each holecontaining a peg being adapted to be selectively opened to illuminatethe contained peg from the rear in a manner such that light istransmitted through the peg to permit observation of each illuminatedpeg from the front side of said board.
 6. The combination according toclaim 5 wherein: each peg is movable in its containing hole betweenforward and rearward positions, and the shutter means opposite each holecontaining a peg is opened by depressing the peg to its rearwardposition and closed by returning the peg to its forward position.
 7. Thecombination according to claim 6 wherein: said shutter assemblycomprises a transparent plate at the rear of and spaced from said faceplate, and an opaque resilient compliant sheet between said plateshaving normally closed intersecting slits opposite said holes,respectively, and forming said shutter means, each peg on said boardwhen in forward position has its rear end seating against the front sideof said sheet, whereby the corresponding slits remain closed to blockillumination of the peg, and each peg on said board being depressible toforce the peg through the corresponding slits to a rearward positionwherein the rear end of the peg seats against said transparent plate,whereby the peg is illuminated by said light source.
 8. The combinationaccording to claim 7 wherein: said pegs have different colorsrepresenting different work operations.
 9. Work scheduling apparatuscomprising: a board having a front face and a multiplicity of holesentering said face and arranged in a set of horizontal rows and a set ofvertical rows, the rows of one row set being adapted to be assigned todifferent work orders and the rows of the other row set being adapted tobe assigned to different work orders, work order identification indiciaon said board associated with the rows, respectively, of said one rowset, presettable timers on said board associated with the rows,respectively, of said other row set, a multiplicity of pegs selectivelyinsertable into and removable from said holes, said pegs being coded torepresent different selected work operations, and each peg havingindicia representing a selected operation completion time.
 10. Workscheduling apparatus according to claim 9 wherein: the rows of said onerow set are said horizontal rows and the rows of said other row set aresaid vertical rows.
 11. The combination according to claim 9 wherein:said pegs have different colors representing different work operations.12. The combination according to claim 11 wherein: said pegs aretransparent, and said apparatus comprises means for selectivelyindividually illuminating each peg on said board from the rear of saidboard in a manner such that light is transmitted through eachilluminated Peg to permit observation of each illuminated peg from thefront side of said board.
 13. The combination according to claim 9wherein: said pegs are transparent, said pegs have different colorsrepresenting different work operations, said board comprises an opaqueface plate containing said holes, a light shutter assembly at the rearof said face plate including normally closed shutter means opposite eachhole, and a light source at the rear of said shutter assembly, and theshutter means opposite each hole containing a peg being adapted to beselectively opened to illuminate the contained peg from the rear in amanner such that light is transmitted through the peg to permitobservation of each illuminated peg from the front side of said board.14. The combination according to claim 13 wherein: each peg is movablein its containing hole between forward and rearward positions, and theshutter means opposite each hole containing a peg is opened bydepressing the peg to its rearward position and closed by returning thepeg to its forward position.
 15. The combination according to claim 14wherein: said shutter assembly comprises a transparent plate at the rearof and spaced from said face plate, and an opaque resilient compliantsheet between said plates having normally closed intersecting slitsopposite said holes, respectively, and forming said shutter means, eachpeg on said board when in forward position has its rear end seatingagainst the front side of said sheet, whereby the corresponding slitsremain closed to block illumination of the peg, and each peg on saidboard being depressible to force the peg through the corresponding slitsto a rearward position wherein the rear end of the peg seats againstsaid transparent plate, whereby the peg is illuminated by said lightsource.
 16. Work scheduling apparatus according to claim 9 wherein: saidboard includes an additional row of holes parallel to the rows of saidother row set, and said apparatus includes pegs selectively insertableinto the holes of said additional row and coded to represent differentwork product destinations.
 17. Work scheduling apparatus comprising: aboard having a front face and a multiplicity of holes entering said faceand arranged in a set of horizontal rows and a set of vertical rows, therows of one row set being adapted to be assigned to different workoperators and the successive rows of the other row set being adapted tobe assigned to successive hourly times of the work shift, work operatoridentification indicia on said board associated with the rows,respectively, of said one row set, hourly time identification indicia onsaid board associated with the rows, respectively, of said other rowset, a multiplicity of pegs selectively insertable into and removablefrom said holes, said pegs being coded to represent different selectedwork operations, and the pegs of each peg group having indiciarepresenting the same work order and the pegs of the different peggroups having indicia representing different work orders.